John Winter, CAE

President

John became the CEO of the Australian Property Institute in May 2025. API is committed to building and maintaining a strong base for the future of the property profession.

Previously, he was the CEO of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association from 2014 to 2025 where he led significant, successful law reform advocacy and major change and growth for the organisation.

He became a Board member of AuSAE in May 2022 and then our President from May 2023. He is proudly a Certified Association Executive (CAE).

He was previously the Head of ACCA Australia and New Zealand. ACCA, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, is the global body for professional accountants with close to 600,000 members and students throughout 183 countries.

Prior to taking on the role as Head of ACCA ANZ, John worked as a senior marketing and communications professional across the recruitment industry, membership organisations and the banking and finance sector.

His past roles include Chief Marketing Officer ANZ for leading listed international recruitment firm, Hudson. He has also worked for a major division of insurance firm QBE and was previously Director of Communications for the NSW Rural Fire Service – an organisation with 69,000 volunteer members.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of NSW, majoring in Economics and Finance and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

John can be contacted via jwinter@api.org.au

Craig Young, CAE 

Vice President

Craig is passionate about the digital technology and communications industry because of the opportunity it offers for improving business and personal lives in New Zealand.  He is currently the Chief Executive of TUANZ (the Technology Users Association) which is helping New Zealand make the most of the digitally connected world.  TUANZ is an independent member based organisation representing users of tech which educates and advocates for the uptake of digital technology and the improvement of communication services across NZ including rural and regional areas.  Over more than 35 years TUANZ has a proud reputation of providing leadership in representing the views and needs of the people and businesses that rely on technology every day.  In 2021 TUANZ partnered with MBIE in developing the Digital Boost Alliance, and in his role as CEO, Craig is responsible for leading the work that promotes and manages the operations of the Alliance.  

Craig is an advocate for inclusivity, and equity especially in the digital technology sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.  He was instrumental in the launch of TUANZ’s future leaders programme, FLINT, in 2016.  He is the joint Chair of the Affordable Connectivity Constellation with the Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa, and a trustee at the 2020 Trust.

Craig can be contacted on craig.young@tuanz.org.nz

Debra Cerasa

Director 

Debra is the current CEO of Amplify Alliance (previously Jobs Australia) which she joined in September 2018. She is an experienced CEO who has worked in both the public and Not for Profit sectors across a diverse range of businesses, including Member-based organisations.

Debra has a reputation as a transformational leader who is invested in working with people to encourage them to be the best version of themselves. Recognised for her passion, energy and commitment to supporting individuals Deb provides leadership to Amplify Alliance and works closely with the entire team who are committed to providing ongoing support, evidence-based advice and excellent service to our Members.

Debra's professional non-executive Director experience includes working with eleven Boards such as Austin Health, Federation TAFE, Multiple Sclerosis Australia (MSA), and Royal College of Nursing (RCNA). She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, (AICD). 

Debra has an unwavering commitment to the development and mentoring of emerging leaders and NEDs, particularly women and is actively involved in many collegial conversations that supports others.

Nick Pilavidis, CAE FICM CCE

Director 

Nick is the CEO of the Australian Institute of Credit Management (AICM), representing over 2,800 credit professionals who are responsible for managing credit risk in all sectors and ensuring cash flow. Since 2014, Nick has led the organization to restore its financial position, record membership levels and increase member engagement.

Prior to this role he held various senior roles as a credit professional in Australia and the UK. He was the AICM’s Australian Young Credit Professional of the Year in 2005 and was acknowledged as a Fellow of the AICM for his service as a volunteer on the NSW Council and National Board. He is also a Certified Credit Executive, a Fellow of CPA Australia, a member of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Business Leaders Council and a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He represents AICM members and the credit profession as a member of several other government and industry forums and leads AICM’s advocacy with federal government on matters related to cash flow and credit management.

Matthew Connor, CAE

Director

Kirsty Kelly

Director

Kirsty Kelly has extensive leadership experience in the association sector as both a CEO and a Board Member.

She is currently the CEO of the Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management (AITPM) and has previously worked as the CEO of IES-The Lighting Society and the Planning Institute of Australia. She is also a skilled Director, currently serving on the government Board of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, and with previous directorships including the Planning Institute of Australia and AuSAE, where she also chaired the Finance Audit and Risk Committee.

Before joining AITPM Kirsty spent several years consulting for membership associations, providing support and facilitation of strategic planning, governance, and management. Before her association leadership roles, she worked as an urban and regional planner in local, state and territory government, the private sector and academia, during which time she was also an active association volunteer including board member. During her career, Kirsty has worked nationally with leaders, governments, industry, and professionals on issues such as urban and transport planning, climate change, resilience, and urban design.

Kirsty is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Graduate Diploma of Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Business Administration.

Robin Shepherd, CAE

Director

Robin is an experienced and certified association executive (AuSAE CAE) with over 17 years in the association industry through a variety of organisations. Her current role is General Manager Membership and Stakeholder Engagement at the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) the peak membership body for HR professionals in Australia.

Robin has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the association community, both through her extensive association experience, her voluntary position at Chair of the iMIS User Group Asia Pacific, and as a Certified Association Executive. Her experience building community through the iMIS User Group, along with her track-record in driving innovation through the effective use of technology are invaluable skills to have contributing at the AuSAE board. She is proficient in adapting member services to fast-evolving technology and market needs and building commercial growth through identifying key issues affecting members and devising impactful solutions. With a career focused on supporting and advising NFP Boards, Robin has been instrumental in elevating governance and accountability frameworks across numerous organisations, yielding tangible improvements.

Robin is passionate about peer support and networking through AuSAE and would welcome contact from any association industry peers looking to connect through LinkedIn or say please hello at an event!

Vicki Mayo

Director

Vicki Mayo is an association specialist with over a decade of experience in senior management roles. Vicki specialises in working with the Association’s members to develop meaningful connections, experiences and opportunities.

A Certified Meeting Manager, Vicki has expertise in stakeholder engagement, marketing, communications and event management. With a passion for creating unique experiences, coupled with her commercial acumen, Vicki is focused on developing an extraordinary member community alongside the growth and future development of the association. Vicki thrives on putting plans into action, of testing the untested and being able to deliver exceptional quality in all areas of the Association.

David Jenkins

Director

David Jenkins leads the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) as Chief Executive Officer and is widely regarded as a global authority on infrastructure and asset management. He has delivered keynote addresses at the Sydney Morning Herald Infrastructure Summit and premier events hosted by the Institute of Asset Management (UK), the Institute of Municipal Engineering of South Africa, and the Government Finance Officers Association (USA). His commentary is frequently featured in the region’s most influential industry publications.

David has studied at Stanford University, holds an Executive MBA from the University of Auckland, postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree from the University of London. He also serves on the board of the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME) and the Australasian Society of Association Executives.

As host of IPWEA’s popular Infrastructure Matters podcast, David engages international thought leaders on water, transport, and sustainable asset management—bringing fresh perspectives and practical solutions to professionals around the world.

AuSAE Constitution

AuSAE ByLaws

Contact us:

Email: info@ausae.org.au
Phone: 1300 764 576 (within Australia)
Phone: +61 7 3268 7955 (outside Australia)
Address: Unit 6, 26 Navigator Place, Hendra QLD 4011, Australia